As I shall probobably not see you again before you leave, I wish just to express how very much I was gratified with the result of last nights proceedings -the general feeling which is apparent, and the assurance you were able to give respecting the prospects of the country.

When you agreed to take office in the Government, you had an appalling prospect before you. Things could not have been much worse. I believe however that in this difficulty you did not purpose to gain your object by brute force, or by the exercise of superior skill, but that while endeavoring with your fellow Ministers to take such measures as seemed likely to promise success, you looked also to a higher power for direction. Some people talk of the fortune of war and the chances of war. I do not believe that chance has any thing to do with the matter, but that all is directed by a higher power, and that if we are doing honor to him, we have then a right to expect that he will prosper our efforts. There was a striking instance of this at Waioeka.
Ropata and Kepa had made their arrangements, but the latter from a feeling of jealousy departed from those arrangements, wishing as it seemed to gain all the glory to himself. It was a course which was likely to ruin the prospects of the expedition, but it was overruled and was turned into a great success. On the other hand the many signal failures we have experienced, I believe, are to be attributed to the fact, that operations have been carried on without any recognition of a higher power.

I sincerely pray that all further proceedings of the Government may be directed by God until all shall result in the establishment of a sound and lasting peace.

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